[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4912]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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        THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMADA FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY

   Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate the 
residents of Armada and the Armada Free Public Library on the occasion 
of its one-hundredth anniversary. Residents in my home State of 
Michigan will be gathering this Sunday, April 1, 2001 to celebrate this 
important milestone.
  The Armada Free Public Library is a dynamic community institution, 
with a proud tradition of serving the needs of all residents of the 
growing community in which it is located. This commitment to community 
service is manifested in the library's efforts to provide access to 
over 25,000 books and many periodicals, as well as access the World 
Wide Web. In addition, the Armada Free Public Library serves as a 
barrier-free gathering place for community and civic groups.
  The Armada Free Public Library was established on April 1, 1901. It 
was on this day that village residents approved a mill tax to fund the 
library by a resounding vote of 144 to 48. The library opened on August 
10th of the same year with 87 books on its shelves.
  In the ensuing years, the library grew from these humble origins to 
continue serving the needs of area residents. In particular, the early 
library emphasized its ability to serve as a meeting place for 
conferences, clubs and children located in this bustling farming 
community. Given its central role in the community, it is only natural 
that as Armada grew the Free Public Library needed to grow with it. 
Were it not for the efforts of philanthropists and concerned voters, 
the Armada Free Public Library may not have reached this historic 
anniversary. A grant provided by the Carnegie's enabled the library to 
move into a new facility in 1915, and subsequent efforts by local 
voters and philanthropists, such as the estate of the late Elizabeth 
Pomeroy, ensured both the growth of the library and its continued 
economic viability.
  Mr. President, I have mentioned only a small portion of the dynamic 
history of the Armada Free Public Library and the many ways in which 
the library has remained committed to this community. I know my 
colleagues will join me in honoring the Armada Free Public Library for 
its service to the people of Armada and the State of Michigan.

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